The Tennis Tragic

David Kalina, Matte Rochford, and Alex Dawson
  • 4.4 (7)
  • TENNIS

The Tennis Tragic is a talk opera about dreams, romance, style, grace, conflict, history, art, and service motions.

  1. The Tragedy Watchlist

    2D AGO

    The Tragedy Watchlist

    The Tragic Three reconvene for the first time in a long time, to pay tribute to Milos Raonic (sort of), marvel at Roger Federer (yet again), and unveil the 2026 Tragedy Watchlist as we move into the first Major of the year down under. We discuss Matte's unfortunate withdrawal from the One Point Slam, Alex's United Cup experience in Sydney, and David's brief dalliance with a 125 in Austin. We share our enjoyment of the One Point Slam (despite its ridiculous length) and our disdain for the (new, pointless) Battle of the Sexes.

    1h 15m
  2. Bidi Labubu Badu

    09/20/2025

    Bidi Labubu Badu

    The Tennis Tragic #067 / Bidi Labubu Badu / Matte and David meet to talk about the style selections on show at the 2025 US Open. First, Ian collects his plate graciously, while Adi slides into his World Number One ranking with a US Open trophy and an impassioned Rublev defense. Then, we break out the slide projector and chat Naomi's kit, Andre Swagassi, the Y3 "blur tool" design, Alcaraz as "happy Buddha", Magdalena Frech's Bidi Badu dress, Kostyuk's popped Wilson collar, and all of Venus's glory. David confesses to the superiority of Test Cricket, while Matte explains the difference between a tie and a draw and shares his experience at a silent meditation retreat.

    1h 17m
  3. The Tribunal of Tennis Etiquette

    09/01/2025

    The Tribunal of Tennis Etiquette

    The Tennis Tragic #066 / The Tribunal of Tennis Etiquette / Matte and David begin the hard work of establishing a committee for regulating behavior on a tennis court (and in the stands). Given their recent statements and actions, as well as their consistent efforts to model proper behavior for others, we feel that Jelena Ostapenko, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Daniil Medvedev should be on the board. Who better to correct us gently and kindly during our missteps? We also give Taylor Townsend her flowers, take a call from Adi about the Upset Game's impact on his fandom, look forward to Coco vs Naomi, talk about tennis redheads, express excitement about Venus and Leylah playing doubles, and channel Charlton Heston receiving the Ten Commandments from God.

    1h 15m
  4. Return to Doubles Alley

    08/24/2025

    Return to Doubles Alley

    The Tennis Tragic #065 / Return to Doubles Alley / The US Open spotlight shines brightest on the Mixed Doubles exhibition (tournament).  Matte and David re-visit the dark and mysterious zone between the tram lines, while glancing back at the US hardcourt summer and peeking forward towards the upcoming major (a little).  We get into the depths of the upset game, discuss radical-but-unlikely future rule changes, express confusion about the identity of our podcast, learn some Australian taxi-based idioms, and revisit Matte's encounter with Australian doubles star Ellen Perez on line at an event merchandise store.  In a rank?  On line?  Finally, Matte foreshadows some upcoming spells.

    1h 1m
  5. Goran's Knee

    07/06/2025

    Goran's Knee

    The Tennis Tragic #064 / Goran's Knee / Must we suffer for our art?  Have we been coddled, and can we triumph in spite of our soft hearts?   The great ship Wimbledon finds itself mid-stream.  Matt finds the random button, and we all discover August Holmgren as a result.  Players get more serious about the Upset Game.  Marin Cilic pauses and we flashback to the Match That Time Forgot.  Arthur Rinderknech stops the darkness, while Laura Siegemund practices the dark arts.  A fishing trip organized by Craig Boynton is described.  Goran Ivanisevic dishes out some tough love (on one leg).  Trinity Rodman gazes lovingly at Ben Shelton.  Matte and David consider a lateral career move and re-imagine the Tennis Tragic as a Tennis Podcast Podcast.

    57 min
  6. What's in the Trophy?

    06/09/2025

    What's in the Trophy?

    The Tennis Tragic #063 / What's in the Trophy? / Coco Gauff triumphs in Paris and discovers that the Coupes des Mousquetaires has a lid. David and Matte battle difficult conditions - the same as every other podcaster - to cover the outstanding women's final, Lois Boisson's delightful run, Amelie Mauresmo and Gilles Moretton's handling of the schedule, and the looming threat of a Carlos/Jannik duopoly on the men's side. We also find time to touch on podium architecture, courtside paintings, and commisioning Christopher Clarey to pen the biography of Upset Game World Number 1 and French Open Champion, Ian Macnider. Might as well get started now!

    54 min
  7. Best Story of Roland Garros (So Far)

    05/26/2025

    Best Story of Roland Garros (So Far)

    The Tennis Tragic #062 / Best Story of Roland Garros (So Far) / Darkness descends upon Paris, and lightning strikes! Matte and David meander through the topics of the day - the draw, the Upset Game, Gasquet, Djokovic's 100th title, Maya Joint's chances vs Jasmine Paolini, Hubie "The Retirement Plan" Hurkacz, McEnroe and the New York Knicks, Adi's victory speeches for his Upset Game dirty double, and the holy power of the new Pope blessing Jannik Sinner.

    1h 29m
  8. The Kid Stopped Dreaming

    04/18/2025

    The Kid Stopped Dreaming

    The Tennis Tragic #038 / The Kid Stopped Dreaming / Rafa and Ash concluded the 2022 Australian Open with two perfect days of tennis, but defeated Daniil's childhood dream may have died in the process.  David and Matte discuss the Special K's, the theoretical value of tennis etiquette, coaching from the box, string tension, Daniil's somber press conference, whether one would rather win a 250 or defeat Roger Federer in the first round, Mark Shorter's painting of Ash Barty's fist, David's feelings about Rafa's aesthetic, and our loss of credibility following Episode 037's audacious predictions.

    1h 7m
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4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Tennis Tragic is a talk opera about dreams, romance, style, grace, conflict, history, art, and service motions.

Information

  • Creator
    David Kalina, Matte Rochford, and Alex Dawson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David Kalina, Matte Rochford, and Alex Dawson
  • Show Website
    The Tennis Tragic